The pandemic allowed time to service my clocks and help me understand “sympathetic vibration”

September 1, 2020

I know many of you did your best to adapt to isolation during what is now known as The Coronavirus Pandemic. It changed the way we think, the way we behave and the way we interact with each other. My condolences to those who suffered during this infamous chapter of our lives particularly those of … More The pandemic allowed time to service my clocks and help me understand “sympathetic vibration”

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Uhrenfabrik Mühlheim, Müller & Co box clock – servicing the movement

August 27, 2020

It is time to service this very fine German box clock by U. M. Muller. I have been stalling for too long. I am a little leery because the last time I worked on one of these the strike tension spring broke (my fault) so I made a promise to be more careful this time. … More Uhrenfabrik Mühlheim, Müller & Co box clock – servicing the movement

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Pequegnat Bedford – servicing the movement

August 22, 2020

To Canadian clock collectors, Arthur Pequegnat are clocks highly regarded. Irrespective of model names they are generally classified as either “Berlin” or “Kitchener”. The Arthur Pequegnat Bedford is a Kitchener clock. Let me explain. Although it is impossible to date Pequegnat clocks to the exact year of production, the name Berlin distinguishes clocks made before … More Pequegnat Bedford – servicing the movement

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Westclox LaSalle alarm clock

LaSalle Dura alarm clock movement cleaned and running

August 13, 2020

The Westclox Clock Company is best known for various versions of Big Ben and Baby Ben windup alarm clocks produced from 1909 to the mid 1980s though the later Chinese clocks did not compare with the better made American versions. In the Art Deco style is the LaSalle series. Both of these clocks (above) are … More LaSalle Dura alarm clock movement cleaned and running

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Seth Thomas round top

Selling an antique mechanical clock – preparation and advertising – how to

August 8, 2020

How to sell an antique mechanical clock If you are a collector like myself there will come a point when there are just too many clocks and not enough walls and mantels. I manage my collection in two ways, some clocks are gifted while others are sold. I am not in the business of selling … More Selling an antique mechanical clock – preparation and advertising – how to

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Tick Talk Tuesday #26 – bob needed for Sessions Raven mantel clock

August 4, 2020

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #26 – bob needed for Sessions Raven mantel clock

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Arthur Pequegnat movement

Servicing a Pequegnat time and strike movement

July 25, 2020

Pequegnat was in the business of making clocks in Kitchener, Canada for over 35 years, 1903 to 1941. Unfortunately the shortage of brass during World War II was the death knell for this company. Pequegnat clocks are sought after by Canadian clock collectors and command higher than average prices, in Canada at least. The best … More Servicing a Pequegnat time and strike movement

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Click replaced

What is this clock thing for? #5 – the mainspring clamp

July 21, 2020

The only way you can safely disassemble a clock with an open mainspring is by using mainspring restraining clamps. 4 piece sets, which will accommodate various mainsprings sizes are available from all clock suppliers. Wind the mainsprings tightly enough so that you can work the clamps around the springs. Move the rachet click aside and … More What is this clock thing for? #5 – the mainspring clamp

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Interesting clock repairs, some good, some not so good

July 17, 2020

While I admire the ingenuity and creativity of clock repairpersons many years ago some of the repairs are downright scary and dangerous. I say clock repairpersons because may were back yard mechanics with minimal clock skills that were paid to “just get his thing running”. In this article, I will describe some of the strange … More Interesting clock repairs, some good, some not so good

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English bell strike servicing Part I – the assessment

July 13, 2020

In February 2020 my wife was perusing an online auction house looking for interesting bargains and noticed a 170-year-old Scottish tall case offered for bidding. Over the past couple of years we had talked about acquiring an antique tall case clock but those we liked were either well beyond our reach or required extensive repairs … More English bell strike servicing Part I – the assessment

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Fleet Time company of Montreal – case refinishing and 2 surprises

July 1, 2020

While refreshing the case of this relatively nondescript mantel clock assembled by a short-lived Canadain clock company I ran into two interesting surprises. Here is a garden-variety vintage Westminster chime mantel clock from the Fleet Time Company of Montreal (Canada). Many of these clocks were sold at department stores across Canada during the pre-war (WWII) … More Fleet Time company of Montreal – case refinishing and 2 surprises

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A 1847 Elisha Manross steeple clock with rare brass mainsprings

June 27, 2020

Among American clocks, the name Elisha Manross does not immediately come to mind unlike well-known clockmakers such as Seth Thomas, New Haven or Waterbury. However, Elisha Manross (1792-1856) was an important pioneer of the Connecticut clock. Brass mainsprings are very rare. It is possible for a clockmaker to go through their entire career without seeing … More A 1847 Elisha Manross steeple clock with rare brass mainsprings

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Renewing an antique clock case in three easy steps

June 19, 2020

Renewing an antique wood clock case is easier than you think. In this blog, I will take you through three simple steps to revitalize the finish on this fine American 30-hour shelf clock. Let’s begin with 2 assumptions. Two assumptions The word “simple” implies that you have done at least some work on clock cases/furniture … More Renewing an antique clock case in three easy steps

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Service intervals for antique and vintage mechanical clocks?

June 15, 2020

It is not uncommon for a mechanical clock to run 25, 30 years or more with nothing more done to it other than the occasional oiling. How often should a mechanical clock be serviced? It is not as simple an answer as it seems. In this post, I will discuss what it means to service … More Service intervals for antique and vintage mechanical clocks?

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Mclachlan dial

Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part II

June 11, 2020

Restoring the case of an 1850s period Scottish tall case clock with an English bell strike is the subject of this blog. This is Part II of a two-part series. Check out Part I here. While the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part II

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Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part I

June 7, 2020

This is my first experience with a tall case clock from the 1850s and my first venture into English bell strike movement servicing. Let me explain. Although the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or before 1850. The clock was in fair condition when … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part I

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The schoolhouse clock – how it got its name

June 3, 2020

Older readers growing up in the rural areas of Canada and American have fond memories of the one-room schoolhouse clock located in the front or rear of the classroom. Just how did the schoolhouse clock get its name? As the teacher instructed the students to work quietly on their own students would look up furtively … More The schoolhouse clock – how it got its name

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Tick-Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #25 – broken suspension spring on Vedette clock

May 26, 2020

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #25 – broken suspension spring on Vedette clock

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Waterbury York parlour clock – a fresh approach to addressing a non-functioning strike side

May 23, 2020

Back in December 2019, I wrote about the challenges of adjusting the strike side of this attractive parlour clock, a Waterbury York, circa 1900. Despite many attempts the strike side refused to work. Though I was close to a solution but I did not realize it at the time. I put it aside to think … More Waterbury York parlour clock – a fresh approach to addressing a non-functioning strike side

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